The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-24
THE BLUE AND GRAY AT EVANSVILLE.
Closing Scenes of a Most Successful Reunion
The Award of the Prizes.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
EVANSVILLE. Ind, Sept 23.-To-day closed
the grand reunion of the Blue and Gray. The
morning at Camp Farragut was consumed in
the prize drills, which began at $50 o'clock. The
Zouave drill first completed by the Rice
Zouaves of Indianapolis. The next drill upon
the programme was that of the Hermitage
Guards OF Nashville; but they had not gone
into camp, from having been detained until last
night at Nashville, their time filled by the
Latham Light Guards of Hopkinsville. under
command of Captain Lewis. They presented a
fine appearance in their elegant cos
tunes of blue and gray with
helmets surmounted with white plumes. They
had not entered for the prize and consequently
did not go through the whole programme. They
were followed by the Louisville Light Infantry.
in command of Capt. Fl. C. Grendstead. They
wore uniform of dark green coats light blue
pants and tall, white grenadier shakos. Their
belts were the new style combination cartridge
belts. Their drilling throughout was splendid
ard there were several waeers that they
would be the victors in the contest. At the
conclusion of their exhibition hand
floral tribute was presented to the
captain. Next came Company A, First
Illinois Regiment, of Chicago. A finer looking
body of men were never before gathered upon
a parade ground. They wore a handsome gray
uniform, with the regulation caps and straps
One company error was made by anticipating
misunderstanding the command of the cap
tain. This doubt occasioned by pass
ing locomotive, which prevented any one from
hearing distinctly Their loading and firing at
a kneel was superb and caused most boisterous
applause from the vast audience in the grand
stand. This company gave evidence of most
careful discipline, and it was at
once recognized that the contest
must eventually be between this one and the
Louisville company.
The feature of the afternoon was the great
sham battle. It was announced for o'clock.
but the vast multitude which had gathered to
witness the battle had not only filled the amphi-
theater to OVERLOOKING, but had covered the vast
parade ground, which presented truly a living
sea of humanity Lot less than 10000 people
had gathered here. and with all of the efforts of
the polce-force and guards they could not be
pressed back. military company was then
brought into requisition, and charged upon
them with fixed bayonets. This had a tenn
porary effect but they soon again crowded into
the ground in another dense jam. The veterans
and visiting military We're then summoned TO
force them back, and it finally required their
combined efforts and two cannons, with double
charges of powder, were fired into the crowd
before they pressed back and made room for the
battle This task required two hours of hard
work, and il was after o'clock before the battle
opened. Fifteen hundred only engaged, but
thirty thousand rounds of ammunition were
discharged. The battle conducted in
true military style, and the attacks
and repulses running fires and hand to hand
struggles, presenting exciting which
richly enjoyed by the vast multitude of
spectators.
The sham battle was followed by the competi-
ton drills for second and third prize. The dress
parade came next, after which the award of
prizes made. The judges were Mai. w. L.
Kellogg, of the Nineteenth Infantry. u. S. A;
Capt H C. Hobart. of the Third Infantry, and
First Lieutenant II. J. Slocum, of the Seventh
United States Artillery. The first prize
of $1,000 awarded to the Louisville
Light Infantry; the second prize
of $500 was given to Company A. of Chicago,
and the third prize. of $500, to Hermitage
Guards, of Nashville, Tenn. The first artillery
prize was awarded to the Rockville. Ind, Light
Artillery, and the second to the Burns Artillery,
of Nashville. The first prize for best Zouave
drill. of $500. given to the Emerald Cadets,
of St. Louis, and the second, of 800, to the
Linck Zouaves. of Nashville, Tenn. There
general satisfaction with the finding of the
judges. There is general fraternal feast
among the competitors this evening. Camp
Farragut was abandoned tonight, and the great
reunion is closed